[Hazards and complications of temporary endocardial stimulation]

In conducting 381 stimulations in 330 patients with brady- and tachysystolic disorders of cardiac rhythm of various etiology 122 complications were revealed. Dislocation of the electrode was noted in 71 cases (18.6%), perforation of the myocardium by the endocardial electrode in 9 (2.1%), ventricular fibrillation in 11 (2.3%), and sepsis in 5 (1.3%) of the cases. A special device may be used for the immediate detection of dislocation. Characteristic changes are noted on the intracardiac ECG in penetration of the electrode into the myocardium (precursor of perforation).